Some hard work over the summer months by Chorley’s has resulted in a need for a two-day sale this month on Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th September. The first day, Thursday 23rd September they are selling books, pictures and furniture including a strong section of lighting and mirrors.

The book section includes books of local, national and international interest with Tewkesbury, Scotland and Africa particularly well represented. It is perhaps Lot 45 that is the most interesting as it relates to the Woodchester Pavement, a copy of which Chorley’s sold for £75,000 in June. Samuel Lysons (1763-1819) was an antiquary and archaeologist who was born and died in Gloucestershire. Many of his books relate to the county and his ‘Account of Roman Antiquities Discovered at Woodchester’ published in 1797 is ever popular at auction. This example includes all 40 colour plates and has an estimate of £600-800.

Another large picture section is strong across the board and includes works from the 17th century to the present day. A pretty 18th century portrait of a lady attributed to Jeremiah Davison has an interesting provenance having belonged to Alastair Smart, the eminent art historian who spent 40 years of painstaking research to finally produce the catalogue raisonné of Allan Ramsay, the 18th century portraitist. Lot 167This painting, Lot 167, has a similarity to some of Ramsay’s work and is estimated at £2,000-3,000. Another portrait of a lady, Lot 228, by James Northcote, last appeared at the Pitchford Hall house sale in the 1990s. It depicts Margaret Coulthurst of Gargrave House, Yorkshire seated with her needlework and a charming terrier by her side. This time she carries expectations of £5,000-7,000.

Lot 270The mirrors and lighting section has something for all tastes. For those with a more theatrical bent there are gilt-framed mirrors such as Lot 270, est £1,500-2,000, which has a pierced carved scrolling frame. For a less extravagant look an Edwardian cheval mirror, Lot 269, in a mahogany frame may appeal at £300-400. It has an interesting provenance: the depository label to the reverse is marked ‘Lady Cobham’.

The furniture section is also strong with 150 lots in total. It is hard to pick out favourites but the Georgian period is strongly represented with settees, secretaire bookcases and tables, however it is the Regency and Victorian periods that yield some of the more unusual items. Lot 426, a Regency mahogany triple pedestal dining table is particularly impressive and is made of some of the most beautifully grained mahogany the auctioneers have seen. If it sells for its pre-sale estimate of £3,000-5,000 someone will have grabbed a bargain. A Victorian armchair, Lot 418, has an unusual design and features a reclining back and adjustable foot rest which should propel it to its £700-1,000 estimate.

Day Two, Friday, 24th September includes a huge variety of objects which should offer buyers plenty of choice.

An unusually large glass section includes the collection of the late Bill Baker of Reid Wines. Based in the West Country, he was well-known across the world of wine for his wit, his strong opinions and his large appetites for food, drink and company. He was famously dismissive of the American critic, Robert Parker, whose scoring system he felt to be absurd and he was vociferous in his opposition to political correctness. His knowledge and palate were exceptional and he worked with Rick Stein as well as being a consultant for the Conran group of restaurants. The collection includes an impressive pair of magnum decanters, Lot 525, which would make a statement on any table at £500-800. There are also a large number of bottles, funnels and cloches with estimates from £50 to £500.

The market for the decorative arts of the early 20th century remains strong and two stunning examples can be found elsewhere in the glass section. Lot 503, a Lalique ‘Sirene’ dish at £1,200-1,500 and Lot 527, a set of ten large Art Deco wine glasses signed ‘Vedar’ for Vetri d’Arte Fontana at £2,000-3,000 should attract interest from collectors worldwide.

The ceramics section is more firmly based in the 18th and 19th centuries. Lot 609, a Mason’s Patent Ironstone part dinner service is extensive and decorated in the Chinese manner, estimated at £600-800. Also in the Oriental taste is one pair of Royal Worcester vases, Lot 610, c1873, which are highly decorated and in great condition, estimate £500-700.

A strong selection of Oriental porcelain and works of art should produce some strong results. Usually the Chinese offerings are the most hotly Lot 633contested and it will be interesting to see if Lot 633, an unusual Kangxi biscuit porcelain brushwater, attracts interest. It is modelled as a landscape with pagodas and trees above a pond in which even a tiny fish is picked out in relief, estimate £400-600. The sale includes some top quality Japanese items including a pair of tusk vases finely carved with scenes of warriors, Lot 622, estimate £800-1,200. One to watch may be Lot 649, a large Japanese scroll painting attributed to Tani Buncho, c1820, and offered at £200-400, it comes from the attic of a local Gloucestershire stately home.

A large silver section will certainly appeal to anybody looking for a set of silver cutlery. Lot 676 is a near complete canteen of Victorian fiddle and shell pattern flatware for 12, estimate £1,500-2,000. There are a number of other sets and part sets and with many styles to choose from, including old English, King’s and fiddle pattern. A number of early pieces vie for attention including a charmingly proportioned pair of George II cast candlesticks, Lot 716, by Gabriel Sleath, 1738, at £1,800-2,000 and a George II silver card waiter at £200-400. The variety on offer is impressive so whether you want spirit labels, cream jugs, claret jugs or ladles, there will be something for every pocket.

The jewellery section if full of quality from Lot 804, a signed gemstone set Boucheron compact with butterfly decoration to the cover at £800-1,200 to Lot 809, a 1960s brooch by John Donald at £600-800.

The miscellaneous section produces its fair share of oddities, this time Lot 876 is sure to arouse interest. An artist who produced designs for Huntly & Palmer’s biscuit tins inserted several rude details into what appears to be a classic garden tea party scene and these were not spotted until the tins were already in the shops. Sharp-eyed observers will be able to spot the naughty bits and will only need £80-120 to own this bit of history!

There are watches from the 18th century to the present day including Lot 902, a lady’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date-Just at £1,000-1,500. Among the clocks it is the longcases that steal the show with Lot 914, a walnut-cased example by John Austin of London carrying expectations of £3,000-4,000.

Viewing times are Tuesday 21st September from 9am to 7pm, Wednesday 22nd September from 9am to 5pm and on mornings of the sales, 23rd and 24th September, from 8.30am until the sale commences at 10.30am.